An "excellent MBO" was given the top prize at the Deals and Dealmakers Awards.

The creation of Amor Group saw Pragma and Real Time bought out of foreign ownership with the enlarged company becoming Scotland's largest independent business technology group.

The deal - the biggest private equity-backed transaction during the year - had already been a "clear winner" of the MBO/MBI title.

Judges said it was: "An excellent MBO which also gave management a decent stake in the business."

Amor chief executive John Innes said revenues have risen from £23million to £32m since the buyout and the company has created more than 100 jobs.

There was individual success for David Cockburn of Grant Thornton when he was named Dealmaker of theYear.

Transactions he worked on included the disposal of Howie Group to BSW Timber and the spin out of Murray Capital.

Judges said he was "a very proactive dealmaker and with a very impressive spread and value of transactions" who managed to hold off the challenge of Stuart Brown from Lloyds Banking Group.

Standard Life's Steven Murray was the winner in the emerging dealmaker category after executing sales and acquisitions worth more than £350m.

One judging panel member said: "He's clearly someone who understands what a good deal looks like."

Panoramic Growth Equity's Malcolm Kpedekpo was marked out as someone to watch out for in the future. The legal advisor of the year was Euan McVicar from McGrigors, who was hailed for "clearly adding significant value" to clients.

Since taking charge of the energy and infrastructure team in 2006 turnover has grown by 87 per cent.

McVicar finished just ahead of Rosalie Chadwick from his own firm and Dundas andWilson's Douglas Crawford.

Team of the Year went to Campbell Dallas's corporate finance team for its efforts in one of the most difficult periods for dealmaking in decades.

Acquisition of the year was BSWTimber's takeover of rival Howie Group which cemented its position as the UK's number one sawmill business.

Heating oil supplier Brogan Holdings was given Sale of the Year after accepting a proposal from a subsidiary of rival DCC.

The investment deal category was won by SubOcean after a fundraising to position itself at the forefront of the subsea cable installation industry.

The financial backing - provided by Lloyds Development Capital and HSBC - is expected to help it double in size as it prepares to take advantage of the expected boom in offshore wind farms.

Imes Strategic Support took the Small to Mid-Sized Deal of the year following sensitive negotiations which allowed its sale to Lockheed Martin.